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About vs And - What's the difference?

about | and |

In obsolete terms the difference between about and and

is that about is preparing; planning while and is even though.

As a preposition about

is in a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of.

As an adverb about

is not distant; approximate.

As an adjective about

is moving around; astir.

As a conjunction and is

as a coordinating conjunction; expressing two elements to be taken together or in addition to each other.

As a noun and is

breath.

As a verb and is

to breathe; whisper; devise; imagine.

about

English

(wikipedia about)

Alternative forms

* (archaic) abowt; (abbreviation)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) aboute, abouten, from (etyl)

Preposition

(English prepositions)
  • In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of.
  • * c.1604-1605 , (William Shakespeare), ''
  • So look about you; know you any here?
  • * 1769 , '', iii, 3
  • Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
  • Near; not far from; regarding approximately time, size, quantity.
  • * c.1590-1591 , (William Shakespeare),
  • Therefore I know she is about my height.
  • * 1769 , '', xx, 3,
  • And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace
  • * 1769 , '', ix, 18
  • Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
  • * , chapter=4
  • , title=[http://openlibrary.org/works/OL5535161W Mr. Pratt's Patients] , passage=I told him about everything I could think of; and what I couldn't think of he did. He asked about six questions during my yarn, but every question had a point to it. At the end he bowed and thanked me once more. As a thanker he was main-truck high; I never see anybody so polite.}}
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-20, volume=408, issue=8845, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title=[http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21581981-what-pollution-some-opportunity-others-welcome-plastisphere Welcome to the plastisphere] , passage=[The researchers] noticed many of their pieces of [plastic marine] debris sported surface pits around two microns across. Such pits are about the size of a bacterial cell. Closer examination showed that some of these pits did, indeed, contain bacteria, 
  • On the point or verge of.
  • * 1769 , '', xviii, 14
  • And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
  • * 1866 , A treatise on the law of suits by attachment in the United States , by Charles Daniel Drake, [http://books.google.de/books?id=Igs-AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA80&lpg=PA80&dq=%22was+about+leaving%22&source=bl&ots=aQXMZaxYAu&sig=T2wNto6m-YO2kSAwyWV-SivvnUw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=YblHUKaUJc2LswbzkIHQDw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=%22was%20about%20leaving%22&f=false page 80]
  • [It] was held, that the latter requirement was fulfilled by an affidavit declaring that "the defendant was about leaving the State permanently."
    (Note: This use passes into the adverbial sense.)
  • *
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=1 , passage=I was about to say that I had known the Celebrity from the time he wore kilts. But I see I will have to amend that, because he was not a celebrity then, nor, indeed, did he achieve fame until some time after I left New York for the West.}}
  • On one's person; nearby the person.
  • * 1837 , , Ernest Maltravers: Volume 1
  • At this assurance the traveller rose, and approached Alice softly. He drew away her hands from her face, when she said gently, "Have you much money about you?"
    "Oh the mercenary baggage!" said the traveller to himself; and then replied aloud "Why, pretty one? Do you sell your kisses so high, then?"
  • Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
  • * 1671 , (John Milton),
  • That heard the Adversary, who, roving still / About the world, at that assembly famed ...
  • * 1849 , (Thomas Babington Macaulay), The history of England from the accession of James the Second
  • He had been known, during several years, as a small poet; and some of the most savage lampoons which were handed about the coffeehouses were imputed to him.
  • Concerned with; engaged in; intent on.
  • * 1769 , '', ii, 49
  • And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
  • * 2013 March 14, (Parks and Recreation)'', season 5, episode 16, ''Bailout :
  • RON: And I'll have the number 8.
    WAITER: That's a party platter, it serves 12 people.
    RON: I know what I'm about , son.
  • Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of; to affect.
  • * 1671 (John Milton), ''(Samson Agonistes)
  • I already have made way / To some Philistian lords, with whom to treat / About thy ransom.
  • * 1860 , (Anthony Trollope), (Framley Parsonage)
  • "I'll tell you what, Fanny: she must have her way about Sarah Thompson. You can see her to-morrow and tell her so."
  • * , chapter=4
  • , title=[http://openlibrary.org/works/OL5535161W Mr. Pratt's Patients] , passage=I told him about everything I could think of; and what I couldn't think of he did. He asked about six questions during my yarn, but every question had a point to it. At the end he bowed and thanked me once more. As a thanker he was main-truck high; I never see anybody so polite.}}
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-22, volume=407, issue=8841, page=70, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title=[http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21579879-buy-out-firm-really-does-focus-operational-improvements-engineers Engineers of a different kind] , passage=Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers. Piling debt onto companies’ balance-sheets is only a small part of what leveraged buy-outs are about , they insist. Improving the workings of the businesses they take over is just as core to their calling, if not more so. Much of their pleading is public-relations bluster.}}
  • (label) In or near, as in mental faculties or (label) in possession of; in control of; at one's command; in one's makeup.
  • *
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=2 , passage=Sunning himself on the board steps, I saw for the first time Mr. Farquhar Fenelon Cooke.
  • In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1892, author=(James Yoxall)
  • , chapter=5, title=[http://openlibrary.org/works/OL10504990W The Lonely Pyramid] , passage=The desert storm was riding in its strength; the travellers lay beneath the mastery of the fell simoom.
    Usage notes
    * (on the point or verge of) In modern English, always followed by an infinitive that begins with to . An archaic or obsolete form instead follows the about with the present participle. * (concerning) Used as a function word to indicate what is dealt with as the object of thought, feeling, or action.

    Adverb

    (-)
  • Not distant; approximate.
  • #On all sides; around.
  • #*1599 , , III-ii,
  • #*:Why, then, I see, ‘tis time to look about , / When every boy Alphonsus dares control.
  • #Here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down.
  • #*1769 , King James Bible'', Oxford Standard text, '' , v,13,
  • #*:And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
  • #*
  • #*:He and Gerald usually challenged the rollers in a sponson canoe when Gerald was there for the weekend; or, when Lansing came down, the two took long swims seaward or cruised about in Gerald's dory, clad in their swimming-suits; and Selwyn's youth became renewed in a manner almost ridiculous,.
  • #Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, quantity, or time; almost.
  • #:
  • #*1769 , King James Bible'', Oxford Standard text, '' , xxxii,28:
  • #*:And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.
  • #*
  • #*:“Heavens!” exclaimed Nina, “the blue-stocking and the fogy!—and yours are'' pale blue, Eileen!—you’re about as self-conscious as Drina—slumping there with your hair tumbling ''à la Mérode! Oh, it's very picturesque, of course, but a straight spine and good grooming is better.”
  • #Near; in the vicinity.
  • In succession; one after another; in the course of events.
  • On the move; active; astir.
  • To a reversed order; half round; facing in the opposite direction; from a contrary point of view.
  • :
  • *1888 , ,
  • *:Mr. Carter, whose back had been turned, turned about and faced his niece.
  • #(lb) To the opposite tack.
  • (lb) Preparing; planning.
  • (lb) In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; in circumference.
  • :
  • *1886 , Duncan Keith, A history of Scotland: civil and ecclesiastical from the earliest times to the death of David I, 1153 , Vol.1,
  • *:Nothing daunted, the fleet put to sea, and after sailing about the island for some time, a landing was effected in the west of Munster.
  • Derived terms
    * bring about * come about * go about * how about * roundabout * set about * walkabout * what about * whereabout

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) about (adverb).

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Moving around; astir.
  • :
  • *1898 , , ,
  • *:'John, I have observed that you are often out and about of nights, sometimes as late as half past seven or eight.'
  • In existence; being in evidence; apparent;
  • *1975 , IPC Building & Contract Journals Ltd, Highways & road construction , Vol.43,
  • *:To my mind, transportation engineering is similar to flying in the 1930s — it has been about for some time but it has taken the present economic jolt to shake it out of its infancy, in the same way that the war started the development of flying to its current stage.
  • *2005 , IDG Communications, Digit , Issues 89-94,
  • *:Although it has been about for some time now, I like the typeface Sauna.
  • *2006 , Great Britain Parliament: House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, Energy: Meeting With Malcolm Wicks MP ,
  • *:Is not this sudden interest in capturing CO2 — and it has been about for a little while — simply another hidey-hole for the government to creep into?
  • Normally active and capable.
  • :
  • Synonyms
    * (moving around) around, active, mobile, astir

    Statistics

    *

    References

    and

    English

    (wikipedia and)

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) and, an, from (etyl) and, ond, .

    Alternative forms

    * et (obsolete)

    Conjunction

    (English Conjunctions)
  • As a coordinating conjunction; expressing two elements to be taken together or in addition to each other.
  • #Used simply to connect two noun phrases, adjectives or adverbs.
  • #* c. 1430' (reprinted '''1888 ), Thomas Austin, ed., ''Two Fifteenth-century Cookery-books. Harleian ms. 279 (ab. 1430), & Harl. ms. 4016 (ab. 1450), with Extracts from Ashmole ms. 1429, Laud ms. 553, & Douce ms. 55 [Early English Text Society, Original Series; 91], London: 374760, page 11:
  • Soupes dorye. — Take gode almaunde mylke
  • #*:
  • #*:In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
  • #*1817 , (Jane Austen), Persuasion :
  • #*:as for Mrs. Smith, she had claims of various kinds to recommend her quickly and permanently.
  • #*2011 , Mark Townsend, The Guardian , 5 November:
  • #*:‘The UKBA has some serious explaining to do if it is routinely carrying out such abusive and unlawful inspections.’
  • #Simply connecting two clauses or sentences.
  • #*1991 , (Jung Chang), Wild Swans :
  • #*:When she saw several boys carrying a huge wooden case full of porcelain, she mumbled to Jinming that she was going to have a look, and left the room.
  • #*2011 , Helena Smith & Tom Kington, The Guardian , 5 November:
  • #*:"Consensus is essential for the country," he said, adding that he was not "tied" to his post and was willing to step aside.
  • #Introducing a clause or sentence which follows on in time or consequence from the first.
  • #*1996 , David Beasley, Chocolate for the Poor :
  • #*:‘But if you think you can get it, Christian, you're a fool. Set one foot upcountry and I'll kill you.’
  • #*2004 , Will Buckley, The Observer :, 22 August:
  • #*:One more error and all the good work she had done on Friday would be for nought.
  • #(label) Yet; but.
  • #*1611 , Authorised (King James) Version, Bible , Matthew XXII:
  • #*:Hee said, I goe sir, and went not.
  • #Used to connect certain numbers: connecting units when they precede tens (not dated); connecting tens and units to hundreds, thousands etc. (now chiefly UK); to connect fractions to wholes.
  • #*1863 , (Abraham Lincoln), ‘Gettysburg Address’:
  • #*:Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that "all men are created equal".
  • #*
  • #*:In Chicago these latter were receiving, for the most part, eighteen and a half cents an hour, and the unions wished to make this the general wage for the next year.
  • #*1956 , (Dodie Smith), (title):
  • #*:The One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
  • # Used to connect more than two elements together in a chain, sometimes to stress the number of elements.
  • #*1623 , (William Shakespeare), Julius Caesar , First Folio, II.2:
  • #*:And these does she apply, for warnings and' portents, / ' And euils imminent; and on her knee / Hath begg'd, that I will stay at home to day.
  • #*1939 , Langley, Ryerson & Woolf, The Wizard of Oz (screenplay):
  • #*:Lions, and' tigers, ' and bears! Oh, my!
  • #Connecting two identical elements, with implications of continued or infinite repetition.
  • #*1611 , Authorised (King James) Version, Bible , Psalms CXLV:
  • #*:I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
  • #*2011 , Jonathan Watts, The Guardian , 18 March:
  • #*:He was at work in a nearby city when the tsunami struck. ‘As soon as I saw it, I called home. It rang and rang, but there was no answer.’
  • #Introducing a parenthetical or explanatory clause.
  • #*1918 , , Prime Ministers and Some Others :
  • #*:The word "capable" occurs in Mr. Fisher's Bill, and rightly, because our mental and physical capacities are infinitely varied.
  • #*2008 , The Guardian , 29 Jan 2008:
  • #*:President Pervez Musharraf is undoubtedly sincere in his belief that he, and he alone, can save Pakistan from the twin perils of terrorism and anarchy.
  • #Introducing the continuation of narration from a previous understood point; also used alone as a question: ‘and so what?’.
  • #*1611 , Authorised (King James) Version, Bible , Revelation XIV:
  • #*:And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps.
  • #*1861 , (Charles Dickens), Great Expectations :
  • #*:‘You take it smoothly now,’ said I, ‘but you were very serious last night, when you swore it was Death.’ ‘And so I swear it is Death,’ said he, putting his pipe back in his mouth.
  • #*1914 , (Saki), ‘The Lull’, Beasts and Superbeasts :
  • #*:‘And , Vera,’ added Mrs. Durmot, turning to her sixteen-year-old niece, ‘be careful what colour ribbon you wear in your hair.’
  • #
  • #*1817 , (Jane Austen), Sanditon :
  • #*:Beyond paying her a few charming compliments and amusing her with gay conversation, had he done anything at all to try and gain her affection?
  • #*1989 , (James Kelman), A Disaffection :
  • #*:Remember and help yourself to the soup! called Gavin.
  • #Introducing a qualitative difference between things having the same name; "as well as other".
  • #*1936 , The Labour Monthly , vol. XVIII:
  • #*:Undoubtedly every party makes mistakes. But there are mistakes and mistakes.
  • #*1972 , Esquire , vol. LXXVIII:
  • #*:"There are managers and there are managers," he tells me. "I'm totally involved in every aspect of Nina's career."
  • #Used to combine numbers in addition; plus (with singular or plural verb).
  • #*1791 , (James Boswell), Life of Samuel Johnson :
  • #*:‘Nobody attempts to dispute that two and two make four: but with contests concerning moral truth, human passions are generally mixed.’
  • #*1871 , (Lewis Carroll), Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There :
  • #*:‘Can you do Addition?’ the White Queen asked. ‘What's one and' one '''and''' one '''and''' one '''and''' one '''and''' one '''and''' one '''and''' one '''and''' one ' and one?’
  • (label) Expressing a condition.
  • #
  • #*1485 , Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur , Book VII:
  • #*:"Where ys Sir Launcelot?" seyde King Arthure. "And he were here, he wolde nat grucche to do batayle for you."
  • #*1526 , William Tyndale, trans. Bible , Matthew XIV:
  • #*:Peter answered, and sayde: master, and thou be he, bidde me come unto the on the water.
  • #*1958 , (Shirley Ann Grau), The Hard Blue Sky :
  • #*:"And he went slower," Mike said softly, "he go better."
  • #(label) As if, as though.
  • #*1600 , (William Shakespeare), A Midsummer Night's Dream , I.2:
  • #*:I will roare you, and 'twere any Nightingale.
  • #(label) Even though.
  • #*Francis Bacon
  • #*:As they will set an house on fire, and it were but to roast their eggs.
  • Usage notes
    (Usage notes)
    1. Beginning a sentence with and or other coordinating conjunctions is considered incorrect by classical grammarians arguing that a coordinating conjunction at the start of a sentence has nothing to connect, but use of the word in this way is very common. The practice will be found in literature from Anglo-Saxon times onwards, especially as an aid to continuity in narrative and dialogue. The OED'' provides examples from the 9th century to the 19th century, including one from Shakespeare’s ''King John:'' “''Arthur''. Must you with hot Irons, burne out both mine eyes? ''Hubert.'' Young boy, I must. ''Arthur''. And will you? ''Hubert . And I will.” It is also used for other rhetorical purposes, especially to denote surprise
      (O John! and you have seen him! And are you really going?—1884 in OED )
      and sometimes just to introduce an improvised afterthought
      (I’m going to swim. And don’t you dare watch—G. Butler, 1983)
      It is, however, poor style to separate short statements into separate sentences when no special effect is needed: I opened the door and I looked into the room'' (not *''I opened the door. And I looked into the room''). Combining sentences or starting with ''in addition'' or ''moreover is preferred in formal writing.
    2. is often omitted for contextual effects of various kinds, especially between sequences of descriptive adjectives which can be separated by commas or simply by spaces
      (The teeming jerrybuilt dun-coloured traffic-ridden deafening city—Penelope Lively, 1987)
      is a well-established tag added to the end of a statement, as in
      Isn’t it amazing? He has a Ph.D. and all—J. Shute, 1992
      With the nominal meaning “also, besides, in addition”, the use has origins in dialect, as can be seen from the material from many regions given in the English Dialect Dictionary (often written in special ways, e.g., ). In many of the examples it seems to lack any perceptible lexical meaning and to be just a rhythmical device to eke out a sentence.
    Synonyms
    * (used to connect two similar words or phrases) as well as, together with, in addition to * (informal)

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) ande, from (etyl) .

    Alternative forms

    * aynd, eind, eynd, yane, end

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Breath.
  • Sea-mist; water-smoke.
  • Etymology 3

    From (etyl) anden, from (etyl) . See above.

    Alternative forms

    * eind, eynd, ein

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To breathe; whisper; devise; imagine.
  • Statistics

    *